title: Interleukin-6 release by rat liver macrophages.
abstract: Tissue macrophages of the liver (Kupffer cells) release interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vitro. Since Kupffer cells reside in close proximity to hepatocytes, which are major target cells of IL-6, the regulation of IL-6 release by hepatic macrophages has been investigated in this study. Using the hybridoma growth test to detect IL-6, we found that Kupffer cells already maximally release IL-6 at endotoxin concentrations as low as 1.0 ng/ml. The stimulated secretion of IL-6 was increased 4-8-fold by endotoxin when compared to the control macrophages incubated in serum-containing medium alone. The preincubation of macrophages with interferon-gamma enhanced the capacity of Kupffer cells to respond to endotoxin. The secretion of IL-6 could also be induced by interleukin (IL)-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha). The most potent inducers, however, were the paramyxoviruses Newcastle Disease Virus and Sendai Virus. The release of IL-6 by macrophages upon stimulation with endotoxin was almost completely inhibited by 1 microM dexamethasone. Whereas 100 nM of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibited the release of TNF-alpha in rat Kupffer cells, it did not affect the secretion of IL-6.
authors.affiliation: Biochemisches Institut, Universität Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Busam
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gerok
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Decker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D003907:Dexamethasone; D015232:Dinoprostone